Our Team

Key Staff

Scott Artis, M.A.

Executive Director

SCOTT ARTIS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF URBAN BIRD FOUNDATION. HIS PATH TO CONSERVATION BEGAN WITH A LOVE FOR WILDLIFE.

En route, he worked for multi-national companies like BD Biosciences and Genetix while simultaneously leading community-based ecosystem restoration projects. With inspiration from burrowing owls and an extensive background in business development, he transitioned to conservation full-time in 2011.

Scott now has more than a decade’s worth of experience spanning for-profit and nonprofit sectors in biotech, wildlife conservation, management and development. In addition to a strong track record in organizational growth and leadership, he is the founding director of Burrowing Owl Conservation Network and presided over ECHO Fund, Inc. as President for four years. Scott holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Sustainable Development and Policy, degrees in Micro & Molecular Biology and Environmental Sciences, and has complemented his studies with a Master’s certificate in Environmental Resource Management.

Heather leads conservation projects, which includes managing and growing our online and social media initiatives. Involved with burrowing owl conservation since 2008, Heather began her efforts by tracking, observing and actively protecting a colony of 11 resident adult owls that were under threat from impending construction in Antioch, CA . She has been instrumental in the founding and development of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network and from 2003 to 2007 served on the Board of the nonprofit conservation group ECHO Fund, Inc. Heather has coordinated and led community-based conservation and educational outreach projects, uses her lifelong love for wildlife to inspire environmental stewardship, and is a burgeoning wildlife photographer.

Heather has degrees in Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, is a member of the Wildlife Society, and has worked closely with numerous Federal agencies on burrowing owl conservation and research projects.

Larry is an avid birder and amateur photographer living on the Pacific Flyway near the Central Valley of Northern California. As the County Coordinator for the California Bluebird Recovery Program in Shasta County, he has built three bluebird trails in Shasta County to assist in the revival of the Western Bluebird as well as housing Oak Titmouse, Tree Swallow and the Ash-throated Flycatcher.

Larry is a board member of the Wintu Audubon Society and is a bird and wildlife conservationist, contributing to several wildlife conservation organizations. He is a BirdLife International “Species Champion” and a “Pelican Partner” with International Bird Rescue, and leads the Federal Wildlife Conservation Stamp campaign, a collaborative effort to promote a new wildlife stamp and funding stream for our National Wildlife Refuges.

Connie Stober

Volunteer Coordinator

CONNIE STOBER IS URBAN BIRD’S VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR AND BRINGS PASSION FOR ANIMALS AND THE OUTDOORS TO THE ORGANIZATION.

Connie assures that volunteer program activities and volunteer services are integrated and coordinated within Urban Bird. From hands-on conservation projects to our Communities of Action work, she helps recruit volunteers, provides program evaluation, and leads communications and logistics for volunteer activities, trainings and engagement. Connie is a retired Sr. Regional Logistics Coordinator and now lends her expertise to conserving urban wildlife and habitat.

Our Volunteers

URBAN BIRD’S VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS – PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU – ARE AT THE HEART OF OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

Our volunteers and community members assist in hands-on restoration projects, alert staff to wildlife conservation emergencies, and are essential to our burrowing owl conservation and protection efforts through our Burrow Watch program. From individuals to community groups to schools to nonprofit organizations, our volunteers have helped protect and restore more than 10,000 acres of habitat.

Advisory Board

Lynne Trulio, Ph.D.

Department of Environmental Studies Chair and Professor, San Jose State University
Burrowing Owl Researcher

Pamela Flick

California Representative, Defenders of Wildlife

Bob Fox

Executive Director, Wild at Heart

Samantha Fox

Director, Wild at Heart

Greg Clark

Partners in Flight

Stephanie Artis, M.A.

Educator, Roseville Unified School District

Sean Dulany

Director of Media, Team Freeplay

Mission

To engage, educate and nurture a broad-based constituency to ensure the conservation of bird populations, and preserve the interconnected relationship between people and nature.